As Erin Patterson’s legal team returns to court in a high-profile attempt to challenge her murder convictions, her former husband, Simon Patterson is preparing to release a tell-all memoir, revealing what his relationship with Erin was really like and how the family is coping three years on from the tragic death of Simon’s parents and aunt in a crime that gripped the nation.
An insider tells Woman’s Day that while people are expecting the memoir to be ‘explosive’, they may be left surprised at how Simon chooses to tackle things in writing.
First image of Erin Patterson as she appeals her conviction
Last July, Erin, 51, was found guilty of killing her in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson – as well as the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson.
She famously served them a beef Wellington laced with death cap mushrooms after luring them to a family lunch at her home in Leongatha, Victoria in July 2023.
In September, Patterson was sentenced to life in prison with non-parole period of 33 years – which she is now appealing, claiming there was a “substantial miscarriage of justice” during her Supreme Court trial.
The first images of Erin appealing her conviction have now been released, with courtroom artist Anita Lester telling Woman’s Day that Erin didn’t look wildly different nearly a year on from her initial sentencing.
“Look, she doesn’t look much different. Her hair is a bit longer, she’s wearing glasses which you know she often does when she’s in her studious kind of mode. She looks very composed,” Anita said.
Insiders claim that Simon Patterson ‘wants to explain’ things from his own perspective
With all eyes on the latest court proceedings, Erin’s ex husband Simon Patterson is working on his memoir, with a source telling Woman’s Day that he won’t shy away from ‘difficult subjects’.
“People are expecting the memoir to be explosive, but Simon’s focus is likely to be on setting the record straight about his own experience,” an insider told Woman’s Day. “There has been so much speculation and commentary surrounding the family that he wants to explain what life was actually like from his perspective.
“Simon has had to watch a lot of claims and opinions about himself and his family play out publicly. If he does address them in the book, readers could get a very different picture from the one they’ve formed from headlines and social media.
Simon is said to be addressing how his children are coping, but will be doing his best to protect their privacy.
“His relationship with the children will be one of the most closely watched parts of the memoir. Simon knows people have been asking questions about how they are coping, and he may want to explain what he can, while still protecting their privacy,” the insider said.
“There’s a sense that Simon doesn’t want the memoir to become a mud-slinging exercise. But that doesn’t mean he’ll shy away from difficult subjects. If he feels there are misconceptions about him or his family, this could be his opportunity to put his side of the story on the record.”
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